Women’s Only: I’m a Mother CrossFitter

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I have a secret. I don’t talk about it at book clubs, play-dates, numerous birthday parties, staff meetings or at the school picnic. I’m a CrossFitter and have been doing it at 5:30 a.m. for two years.

As the motherboard of our household, if I go down, chances are the entire house will go down with me, so the last thing I would want to do is threaten my health or mobility.

There are several reasons I don’t discuss it with people in daylight, the first being that there is a huge stigma attached to it. The times I have mentioned it, people have thrown so many negative “facts” at me, it is not even worth defending. The one thing I do get asked all the time, however, is this: “How do you stay in such amazing shape?” This is a valid question. After all, I have a career in communications and publicity at the University of Notre Dame. I have a husband and four young sons. I have a writing career and recently created a theater production that sells out audiences. Not to mention that I also have a very hyper chocolate lab. I usually just smile and say I work out. But the very reason I can do all of those things and have the energy to continue is CrossFit.

The general person doesn’t want to hear that though. They are looking for a quick fix like a 90-day workout DVD or a specific diet. CrossFit is associated with difficulty and intimidation. Most people have convinced themselves that it is dangerous without ever setting foot in a box. As the motherboard of our household, if I go down, chances are the entire house will go down with me, so the last thing I would want to do is threaten my health or mobility. The following are the reasons I have heard as to why a person — specifically a woman — shouldn’t CrossFit.